Full Breakdown
Bears Face Quarterback Crisis Ahead of Week 3 Clash with Eagles
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Backup Tyson Bagent Placed in Concussion Protocol
On September 22, the Chicago Bears entered the NFL’s concussion protocol with backup quarterback Tyson Bagent, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Bagent had taken over for injured starter Caleb Williams in the fourth quarter of the Bears’ 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings the previous Sunday. The protocol placement leaves the Bears without their top two quarterbacks for the upcoming Monday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field.
Background & Context
The Bears opened the season with a 59-point victory over the Carolina Panthers, then fell 9-3 to the Vikings in Week 2. In that loss, Williams exited with a hamstring strain, and Bagent finished the game completing 5-of-9 passes for 54 yards before being sacked on the final play. Both injuries now threaten the Bears’ quarterback depth chart, which lists third-string veteran Case Keenum as the next available option.
Data & Statistics
- Tyson Bagent: 5-of-9, 54 yards in relief; career totals – 4 starts, 13 appearances, 971 yards, 3 TDs, 6 INTs.
- Caleb Williams: 15-of-26, 138 yards, 1 INT, 42 rushing yards in the Vikings game; listed “week-to-week” with a Grade 1 hamstring strain.
- Case Keenum: 66 career starts, 15,175 passing yards, 79 TDs, 51 INTs; last regular-season start Dec. 24, 2023.
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Ben Johnson described Williams’ injury as “week-to-week” and said the team is not ruling him out for the Eagles game. Ian Rapoport reported that Bagent’s concussion protocol status makes his availability “up in the air,” and that if both Williams and Bagent are unavailable, Keenum will start. The Bears have not yet released an official injury report; a first-week report is expected on Thursday.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the play that caused Bagent’s concussion. Reuters and NFL Network attribute the injury to a sack by Vikings edge rusher Dallas Turner on the final play, while USA Today cites a hit from linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel during a third-down play. No official medical clarification has been provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Everybody's body heals differently, so that's the hard part. It could be two to three weeks. It could be two weeks,” — The Score's Jarrett Payton
- “I would be a lot more concerned if I didn't have a year and a half under our belts together now,” — Ben Johnson, coach
Why It Matters
The Bears’ quarterback situation directly impacts their ability to compete against a 2-0 Eagles team. Losing both the franchise quarterback and the primary backup forces reliance on a veteran who has not played a regular-season snap since 2023. The decision will affect game-planning, particularly the anticipated emphasis on the running game, and could influence the Bears’ early-season momentum in the NFC North.
What’s Next
The Bears must clear Bagent from the concussion protocol before kickoff on Monday night, or else start Keenum. A formal injury report is slated for Thursday, and the team’s practice schedule will determine whether any additional quarterback—such as practice-squad rookie Miller Moss—will be prepared as an emergency option.